India drift in series markets

After a pretty even first Test, India need to step things up if they are to win the series against South Africa and though they remain favourites with the bookies, it does not look like it will be easy.

Having started the series as odds-on favourites, India have drifted to even money, while South Africa are now 7/2 and the drawn series is now in to 13/8, slashed from 7/2 before a ball was bowled in Chennai.

The question for India will be whether they can cope without Sachin Tendulkar in the second Test, as he is out through injury. On paper, they ought to be able to, but they are doubtless stronger with him in it.

A 1-0 India win is the new correct score favourite, at 15/8, while a 0-0 draw is next at 3/1. A 1-0 win for South Africa, a little surprisingly, is 9/2, while a 2-0 India win and a 1-1 draw are both 5/1. A 2-0 win for South Africa is a 20/1 outside bet.

The two remaining Tests are in Ahmedabad and Kanpur. India have lost just once in Ahmedabad - to West Indies in 1983. That would seem to be the best chance for a result because in Kanpur, 12 of the 19 Tests have ended in a draw, including the last time the two sides met there.